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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN August 17, 2023

INKSTER - WESTLAND
INKSTER - WESTLAND

Londeau, Coleman winners in primary mayoral race

Interim Westland Mayor launched vigorous campaigns to Plan Steering Committee, board
Michael P. Londeau and State become the leading executive in member of the Westland Youth
Rep. Kevin Coleman were the top the city of 85,000 residents. Assistance Advisory Committee,
choices of voters during the pri- Londeau received 4,646 votes member of the Parks and
mary election last week. while Coleman was the choice of Recreation Advisory Council; the
The Aug. 6 election reduced 4,304 voters. Votes were cast by Westland Masterplan Steering
the field of candidates seeking only about 15 percent of those Committee, the Youth Assistance
the top job in the city from six to registered in the city. The Advisory Council and served as
only Londeau and Coleman. The Westland mayor is paid about chairman of the Downtown
two will face off in the general $126,281 annually while the Development Authority. In 2017,
election set for Nov. 7 and the salary of a state representative is residents elected him to the
winner will become the first listed on the website as $71,877. Westland City Council where he
newly elected mayor in Westland Primary mayoral candidate served for five years, including
in nearly 20 years. Jim Godbout received 837 votes; three years as president pro-tem.
The mayor's job became Ali Awadi received 465 votes; Coleman, 40, was defeated in
vacant when four-term Mayor Anthony Jones, 146 votes and his first mayoral campaign in
William Wild resigned mid-term Ronald Sassak, 46 votes. 2017. He is currently serving his
to join the private sector. Prior to being elected to city third term as a state representa- Mayor Michael P. Londeau Rep. Kevin Coleman
Members of the city council in council in 2017, Londeau, 44, tive, his first in the newly-created
January chose Londeau to serve served as the chairman of the 25th House District. He is a grad- year term on the Westland City working in the community on the
as interim mayor until the next Westland Downtown uate of Western Michigan Council. Westland Festival Committee and
election in the city. Development Authority (DDA), a University, attended the Lee Prior to seeking public office, the Westland Veterans
Londeau and Coleman each member of the Westland Master Honors College and served one 4- Coleman spent several years Association.

Touring the town

Visitors from as far away as Alabama, New Orleans, Cleveland,
and Minnesota traveled to Inkster last week to participate in the
Inktown Tour. One of the popular stops on the Inskter tour was the
Malcolm X house currently being renovated into a museum. The
tours are scheduled annually during the summer months and
registration information will be available when the next dates are
available, organizers said.

Catholic

church

to close

Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic
Church in Westland will cele-
brate mass for the last time Oct. 1
after 60 years in the community.
In a message to parishioners
last week, Sally Sztrecska of the
church finance council sent a
message to parishoners.
“Because of our financial
struggles and dwindling atten-
dance, it is with heartfelt sorrow
that the parish and finance coun-
cils have begun the process to
close the parish," the message
read. "Please know that we are
planning activities to celebrate
our years of love, laughter, and
worship that we have shared. We
welcome ideas and help. As we
leave our building, help us to
walk in the peace of God. "
Several members of the con-
gregation said the closing
seemed inevitable as parish-
ioners are aging and new mem-
bers are not joining the church.
Currently, only about 100 people
attend Saturday and Sunday
masses at the church on Palmer
Road.
Some said the effects of
COVID 19 were the death knell
as worshippers did not return to
the church.
Members of the church
agreed the final mass Oct. 1
would be difficult for those who
have worshiped at Sts. Simon
and Jude for most of their lives.
Parish representatives said
the decision to close the church
is final without hope of an
appeal or recourse.

Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic
Church on Palmer Road will
close Oct. 1.